JP6361642B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method.

  In general, an image forming apparatus (printer, copying machine, facsimile, etc.) using an electrophotographic process technology irradiates (exposes) a charged photoconductor (image carrier) with laser light based on image data. To form an electrostatic latent image. Then, by supplying toner from the developing device to the photoreceptor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, the electrostatic latent image is visualized to form a toner image. Further, after the formed toner image is directly or indirectly transferred to the sheet, the toner image is formed on the sheet by fixing by heating and pressing.

  In the image forming apparatus, the image density of the toner image formed on the paper may fluctuate due to a change in the surrounding environment (for example, temperature and humidity) of the apparatus, deterioration of the photoconductor and developer over time, and the like. In an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, gradation correction is performed in order to stabilize the image density (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  For example, an image forming system in which a post-processing device equipped with an in-line sensor is provided on the downstream side of the image forming apparatus in the paper conveyance direction and gradation correction is performed in real time is known. In such an image forming system, the image forming apparatus forms a document image on the inner side of a predetermined frame of the paper, and a toner composed of a plurality of color patterns for performing gradation correction on the outer side of the frame. A patch (hereinafter referred to as “body patch”) is formed. Then, the inline sensor of the post-processing device detects the image density of the main body patch and outputs the detected image density to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus generates gradation correction data based on the image density output from the in-line sensor, and performs gradation correction in real time.

  On the other hand, the color variation of the toner image formed on the paper by the image forming apparatus may be confirmed using an external colorimeter in response to a request from a user or the like. In such a case, the user uses a colorimeter to check the color variation of the toner image from an external device such as a PC connected to the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “control patch”). Is output to the image forming apparatus as a print job. Then, the image forming apparatus forms a control patch on the outside of the document image.

JP 2009-33654 A

  However, in an image forming system that performs tone correction in real time during execution of a print job including document data on which a control patch is arranged, the control patch and the main body patch may be formed on the same sheet. If the control patch and the main body patch are formed on the same sheet, the image density of the main body patch detected by the inline sensor will differ from the original image density of the main body patch, so normal tone correction is performed in real time. I can't. Further, even with an external colorimeter, it is not possible to confirm the color variation of the control patch formed on the paper.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method capable of performing normal gradation correction.

An image forming system according to the present invention includes:
An image forming system including a plurality of units including an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image of a document image on a plurality of sheets,
A first patch image forming unit that forms a first patch image for performing tone correction of a toner image formed on the paper in a patch area outside the area on the paper on which the original image is formed ;
A second patch image forming unit that forms a second patch image for monitoring color variation of a toner image formed on the paper in the patch area of the paper;
When there is an instruction to form the first and second patch images on the same sheet, a first patch mode for forming the first patch image without forming the second patch image on the patch area; and By selectively executing one of the second patch modes in which the second patch image is formed without forming the first patch image on the patch area, the first and second patch images are A control unit that controls the first and second patch image forming units so that they are not formed on the same sheet;
Is provided.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image of a document image on a plurality of sheets,
A first patch image forming unit that forms a first patch image for performing tone correction of a toner image formed on the paper in a patch area outside the area on the paper on which the original image is formed ;
A second patch image forming unit that forms a second patch image for monitoring color variation of a toner image formed on the paper in the patch area of the paper;
When there is an instruction to form the first and second patch images on the same sheet, a first patch mode for forming the first patch image without forming the second patch image on the patch area; and By selectively executing one of the second patch modes in which the second patch image is formed without forming the first patch image on the patch area, the first and second patch images are A control unit that controls the first and second patch image forming units so that they are not formed on the same sheet;
Is provided.

An image forming method according to the present invention includes:
An image forming method for forming a toner image of a document image on a plurality of sheets,
Forming a first patch image for gradation correction of a toner image formed on the paper in a patch area outside the area on the paper where the original image is formed ;
Forming a second patch image for monitoring color variation of the toner image formed on the paper in the patch area of the paper;
When there is an instruction to form the first and second patch images on the same sheet, a first patch mode for forming the first patch image without forming the second patch image on the patch area; and By selectively executing one of the second patch modes in which the second patch image is formed without forming the first patch image on the patch area, the first and second patch images are The formation timing of the first and second patch images is controlled so that they are not formed on the same sheet.

  According to the present invention, since the image forming apparatus prints only one of the main body patch and the control patch, normal gradation correction can be performed.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control system of the image forming system in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print area of a sheet printed by the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a print job. It is a figure which shows an example of the main body patch priority mode and control patch priority mode in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the control patch priority job in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the continuous page number setting of a control patch. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the gradation correction process in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the patch formation process in this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of Image Forming System 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main part of the control system of the image forming system 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 has a configuration in which an external post-processing device 3 is connected to the side of the image forming apparatus 2 (left side in FIG. 1). The image forming system 1 is connected to a PC (personal computer) 4 as an external device.

  An image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus using electrophotographic process technology. That is, the image forming apparatus 2 primarily transfers Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421. After the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 421, the images are formed by secondary transfer onto the paper S.

  In the image forming apparatus 2, photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to four colors of YMCK are arranged in series in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 421, and each color toner image is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421 in one procedure. Tandem system is adopted.

  In addition, in order to perform tone correction in real time in the image forming system 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a patch composed of a plurality of color patterns for correcting tone within a predetermined range of the paper (hereinafter referred to as a main body patch). Say). Further, the post-processing device 3 detects the image density of the main body patch in the predetermined range, and outputs the detected image density to the image forming device 2. The image forming apparatus 2 performs gradation correction based on the image density output from the post-processing apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an image reading unit 10, an operation display unit 20, an image processing unit 30, an image forming unit 40, a paper transport unit 50, a fixing unit 60, a communication unit 70, a storage unit 80, and A control unit 100 is provided.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM and develops it in the RAM, and centrally controls the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 2 in cooperation with the developed program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 80 are referred to. The storage unit 80 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

  The control unit 100 transmits and receives various data to and from the PC 4 connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 70. For example, the control unit 100 receives image data transmitted from the PC 4 and forms an image on the paper S based on the image data (input image data). The communication unit 70 is configured by a communication control card such as a LAN card, for example.

  The image reading unit 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device 12 (scanner), and the like.

  The automatic document feeder 11 transports the document D placed on the document tray by a transport mechanism and sends it out to the document image scanning device 12. The automatic document feeder 11 can continuously read images (including both sides) of a large number of documents D placed on the document tray all at once.

  The document image scanning device 12 optically scans a document conveyed on the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 11 or a document placed on the contact glass, and reflects light from the document to a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). ) An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the sensor 12a, and an original image is read. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the reading result by the document image scanning device 12. The input image data is subjected to predetermined image processing in the image processing unit 30.

  The operation display unit 20 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, image states, operation states of functions, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 100. The operation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 100.

  The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit that performs digital image processing on input image data according to initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 30 performs gradation correction based on the gradation correction data (gradation correction table) under the control of the control unit 100. In addition, the image processing unit 30 gives a main body patch for generating gradation correction data to the input image data under the control of the control unit 100. Further, the image processing unit 30 performs various correction processes such as color correction and shading correction, a compression process, and the like on the input image data in addition to the gradation correction. The image forming unit 40 is controlled based on the image data subjected to these processes.

  The image forming unit 40 is based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 30, and image forming units 41Y and 41M for forming an image with each color toner of Y component, M component, C component, and K component. , 41C, 41K, intermediate transfer unit 42 and the like.

  Further, the image forming unit 40 functions as a first patch image forming unit that forms a main body patch for performing tone correction of a toner image formed on a sheet in a predetermined region of the sheet.

  The Y component, M component, C component, and K component image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K have the same configuration. For convenience of illustration and description, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and in order to distinguish each, Y, M, C, or K is added to the reference numerals. In FIG. 1, only the components of the Y-component image forming unit 41Y are denoted by reference numerals, and the constituent elements of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K are omitted.

  The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photosensitive drum 413 (photosensitive member), a charging device 414, a drum cleaning device 415, and the like.

  The photosensitive drum 413 has an undercoat layer (UCL) and a charge generation layer (CGL) on the peripheral surface of an aluminum conductive cylinder (aluminum tube) having a drum diameter of 80 mm, for example. It is a negatively charged organic photoconductor (OPC) in which a generation layer (CTL) and a charge transport layer (CTL) are sequentially stacked. The charge generation layer is made of an organic semiconductor in which a charge generation material (for example, phthalocyanine pigment) is dispersed in a resin binder (for example, polycarbonate), and generates a pair of positive charges and negative charges by exposure by the exposure device 411. The charge transport layer consists of a material in which a hole transport material (electron donating nitrogen-containing compound) is dispersed in a resin binder (for example, polycarbonate resin), and transports positive charges generated in the charge generation layer to the surface of the charge transport layer. To do.

  The control unit 100 controls the drive current supplied to a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photosensitive drum 413 to rotate the photosensitive drum 413 at a constant peripheral speed.

  The charging device 414 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 413 to a negative polarity. The exposure device 411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 413 with laser light corresponding to the image of each color component. A positive charge is generated in the charge generation layer of the photosensitive drum 413 and is transported to the surface of the charge transport layer, whereby the surface charge (negative charge) of the photosensitive drum 413 is neutralized. An electrostatic latent image of each color component is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 due to a potential difference from the surroundings.

  The developing device 412 is a two-component developing type developing device, and attaches toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 to visualize the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image.

  The drum cleaning device 415 includes a drum cleaning blade that is slidably contacted with the surface of the photosensitive drum 413, and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 after primary transfer. The drum unit including the photosensitive drum 413 is provided with a lubricant application device that applies the lubricant, which has been scraped off by the lubricant application brush, into powder, on the photosensitive drum 413.

  The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a plurality of support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like.

  The intermediate transfer belt 421 is an endless belt, and is stretched around a plurality of support rollers 423 in a loop shape. At least one of the plurality of support rollers 423 is configured by a driving roller, and the other is configured by a driven roller. For example, it is preferable that the roller 423A disposed downstream of the K component primary transfer roller 422 in the belt traveling direction is a drive roller. This makes it easy to keep the belt running speed constant in the primary transfer portion. As the driving roller 423A rotates, the intermediate transfer belt 421 travels in the direction of arrow A at a constant speed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 421 is a belt having conductivity and elasticity, and has a high resistance layer having a volume resistivity of 8 to 11 [log Ω · cm] on the surface. The intermediate transfer belt 421 is rotationally driven by a control signal from the control unit 100. Note that the material, thickness, and hardness of the intermediate transfer belt 421 are not limited as long as they have conductivity and elasticity.

  The primary transfer roller 422 is a foaming roller having a cored bar and an elastic layer covering the outer periphery of the cored bar. The material of the metal core is a metal such as aluminum. The material of the elastic layer is a polyurethane foam having conductivity. The primary transfer roller 422 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 so as to face the photosensitive drum 413 of each color component. The primary transfer roller 422 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 413 with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a primary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421.

  The secondary transfer roller 424 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 so as to face the backup roller 423B disposed on the downstream side in the belt traveling direction of the drive roller 423A. The secondary transfer roller 424 is pressed against the backup roller 423B with the intermediate transfer belt 421 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 to the paper S.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photoconductive drum 413 are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421 in sequence. Specifically, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 422, and an electric charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 (the side in contact with the primary transfer roller 422). It is electrostatically transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 421.

  Thereafter, when the sheet S passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred to the sheet S. Specifically, a toner image is applied by applying a secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 424 and applying a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the back side of the paper S (the side in contact with the secondary transfer roller 424). Is electrostatically transferred to the paper S. The sheet S to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed toward the fixing unit 60.

  The belt cleaning device 426 removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after the secondary transfer. Instead of the secondary transfer roller 424, a configuration (so-called belt-type secondary transfer unit) in which a secondary transfer belt is looped around a plurality of support rollers including the secondary transfer roller is adopted. Also good.

  The fixing unit 60 includes an upper fixing unit 60A having a fixing surface side member disposed on the fixing surface (surface on which the toner image is formed) of the paper S, and the back surface (surface opposite to the fixing surface) of the paper S. A lower fixing unit 60B having a rear side support member to be disposed, a heating source 60C, and the like are provided. When the back surface side support member is pressed against the fixing surface side member, a fixing nip for nipping and transporting the paper S is formed.

  The fixing unit 60 fixes the toner image on the paper S by heating and pressurizing the paper S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred and conveyed at the fixing nip. The fixing unit 60 is disposed in the fixing device F as a unit. The fixing device F may be provided with an air separation unit that separates the sheet S from the fixing surface side member or the back surface side support member by blowing air.

  The paper transport unit 50 includes a paper feed unit 51, a paper discharge unit 52, a transport path unit 53, and the like. In the three paper feed tray units 51a to 51c constituting the paper feed unit 51, paper S (standard paper, special paper) identified based on basis weight, size, or the like is stored for each preset type. . The conveyance path unit 53 includes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs such as registration roller pairs 53a.

  The sheets S stored in the sheet feed tray units 51 a to 51 c are sent one by one from the top and are conveyed to the image forming unit 40 by the conveyance path unit 53. At this time, the registration roller portion provided with the registration roller pair 53a corrects the inclination of the fed paper S and adjusts the conveyance timing. In the image forming unit 40, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred onto one side of the sheet S at a time, and a fixing process is performed in the fixing unit 60. The sheet S on which the image has been formed is discharged to the post-processing device 3 by a discharge unit 52 provided with a discharge roller 52a.

  The post-processing device 3 sequentially carries in the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 and performs, for example, a processing (so-called alignment processing) for aligning the edges of a plurality of sheets as post-processing. Further, the post-processing device 3 may perform a binding process on the bundle of sheets after the alignment process using a stapler. Other post-processing executed by the post-processing device 3 includes, for example, punch processing for making a hole at a specified position, folding processing for folding a sheet, and the like. The post-processing executed by the post-processing device 3 is selected according to a user instruction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the post-processing device 3 includes a control unit 90, a paper transport unit 91, a post-processing unit 92, and inline sensors 94 and 95.

  The control unit 90 performs centralized control of the operation of the post-processing device 3 in cooperation with the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 2. Specifically, the control unit 90 determines whether the sheet conveying unit 91, the post-processing unit 92, and the inline sensors 94 and 95 are based on a control signal transmitted from the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 2, print job information, or the like. Control the behavior.

  The paper transport unit 91 includes a transport path 911 that connects between the paper discharge unit 52 and the post-processing unit 92 of the image forming apparatus 2. A plurality of transport roller pairs 912 are provided on the transport path 911.

  The conveyance path 911 is a path for conveying the paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 to the post-processing unit 92. The control unit 90 controls the rotation of the transport roller pair 912 so as to transport the paper S discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 in the paper transport direction (the arrow X direction in FIG. 1).

  The post-processing unit 92 is configured to perform post-processing on the paper S under the control of the control unit 90. The post-processing unit 92 discharges the post-processed paper S to the paper discharge tray 93.

  The inline sensors 94 and 95 are, for example, CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors. The in-line sensors 94 and 95 detect the image density of the main body patch formed on the paper in order to perform gradation correction in the image forming apparatus 2.

  The inline sensor 94 is provided above the transport path 911 in the vertical direction of the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the inline sensor 94 is provided at a position in the vertical direction of the post-processing device 3 where a main body patch formed on the upper surface of the paper discharged from the image forming device 2 can be detected. The inline sensor 94 detects the image density of the main body patch formed on the upper surface of the paper, and outputs the detected image density to the control unit 90. The control unit 90 outputs the image density output from the inline sensor 94 to the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  The inline sensor 95 is provided below the conveyance path 911 in the vertical direction of the post-processing device 3. More specifically, the in-line sensor 95 is provided at a position in the vertical direction of the post-processing device 3 where a main body patch formed on the lower surface of the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 can be detected. The inline sensor 95 detects the image density of the main body patch formed on the lower surface of the paper, and outputs the detected image density to the control unit 90. The control unit 90 outputs the image density output from the inline sensor 95 to the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  The PC 4 is connected to the communication unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 2 and transmits / receives various data. Specifically, the PC 4 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing for converting image information into image data to be output to the image forming apparatus 2. Further, when performing the RIP process, the PC 4 performs a RIP process by arranging a patch including various information (hereinafter referred to as a control patch) outside the image. Then, a print job including image data including control patches is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2 via the communication unit 70.

  At that time, the image forming unit 40 functions as a second patch image forming unit that forms a control patch for monitoring the color variation of the toner image formed on the paper in a predetermined area of the paper.

  The control patch is composed of a plurality of color information for confirming the color variation of the output product using a colorimeter, a character string such as the job name of the print job and the print date.

  The control patch may be arranged on all of a plurality of pages in a print job unit, or may be arranged by designating any one of a plurality of pages of the print job.

  In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 forms a document image on a sheet having a size larger than the document image. The paper sheet on which the document image is formed and discharged from the post-processing device 3 becomes a final printed matter after unnecessary portions are cut using an external cutting machine (not shown). Then, the image forming apparatus 2 in the present embodiment forms a main body patch on the outside of the document image in order to perform gradation correction in real time. In addition, when the image forming apparatus 2 receives a print job composed of image data including a control patch from the PC 4, the image forming apparatus 2 forms the control patch outside the original image.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the print area of the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 in the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 2 forms a document image in a document image region G on a paper S having a size larger than the document image. At that time, the outside of the document image area G is a cutting margin. The paper S on which the original image is formed in the original image area G is cut out of the original image area G by a cutting machine to be a final printed matter.

  When the image forming system 1 performs tone correction in real time, a main body patch is formed in a patch area P cut by a cutting machine outside the document image area G.

  When the image data constituting the print job transmitted from the PC 4 includes a control patch, the image forming apparatus 2 forms the control patch in the patch area P provided outside the frame of the document image area G.

  When the image forming system 1 performs tone correction in real time and the control data is included in the image data constituting the print job transmitted from the PC 4, the image forming apparatus 2 is outside the frame of the document image area G. Both the main body patch and the control patch are formed in the provided patch area P. If both the main body patch and the control patch are formed in the patch area P, the color information of the main body patch read by the sensors 94 and 95 of the post-processing device 3 is different from the original main body patch. Gradation correction cannot be performed. In addition, color variation cannot be confirmed even with an external colorimeter.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes a main body patch priority mode that preferentially forms only the main body patch in the patch area P, and a control patch priority mode that preferentially forms only the control patch in the patch area P. The image forming apparatus 2 forms a patch in one of the modes. The main body patch priority mode or the control patch priority mode is set, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 22.

  Next, the main body patch priority mode and the control patch priority mode will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a print job output from the PC 4 to the image forming apparatus 2. The print job shown in FIG. 4 is a print job in which control patches are arranged in the image data of the third page and the sixth page among the image data of n pages.

  When performing gradation correction, the image forming apparatus 2 forms a main body patch on each page when performing printing based on the print job shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a printing result when the conventional image forming apparatus executes the print job shown in FIG. When the conventional image forming apparatus executes the print job shown in FIG. 4, image forming is performed by attaching a main body patch to each page. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, both the main body patch and the control patch are formed on the third and sixth pages. Since the main body patch and the control patch overlap, tone correction based on the image density of the main body patch on the third and sixth pages is not normally performed.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a printing result when the main body patch priority mode is set in the image forming apparatus 2 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the main body patch priority mode is set, the image forming apparatus 2 preferentially forms the main body patch on the third and sixth pages and does not form the control patch.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a printing result when the control patch priority mode is set in the image forming apparatus 2 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5C, when the control patch priority mode is set, the image forming apparatus 2 preferentially forms control patches on the third and sixth pages and does not form main body patches.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the main body patch priority mode or the control patch priority mode is set in the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 2 forms both the main body patch and the control patch. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when a user outputs a print job to the image forming system 1 via the PC 4, the main body patch is formed with priority for each print job, or the control patch is formed with priority. You may specify whether to do it. In the following, a print job designated to preferentially form control patches is referred to as a control patch priority job.

  Next, the control patch priority job when the main body patch priority mode is set in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows job 1, job 2, and job 3 in which all three pages of image data contain control patches. Of job 1, job 2, and job 3, job 2 is designated as a control patch priority job. FIG. 6 shows execution results of job 1, job 2, and job 3 executed by the image forming apparatus 2 set in the main body patch priority mode.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 2 set in the main body patch priority mode does not form a control patch when executing job 1 and job 3 that are not designated as control patch priority jobs. Form a patch. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 2 set to the main body patch priority mode forms a control patch without forming the main body patch when executing the job 2 designated as the control patch priority job.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the image forming apparatus 2, regardless of one or a plurality of print jobs, the main body patch priority mode in which the main body patch is formed with priority or the control patch priority in which the control patch is formed with priority. The mode is set. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a control patch priority job is designated for one print job in the main body patch priority mode.

  When the control patch priority job is executed even in the main body patch priority mode, the image forming apparatus 2 forms the control patch with priority and does not form the main body patch. In such a case, real-time gradation correction may not be possible due to the continuous paper on which main body patches are not formed.

  In order to avoid the case where the tone correction in real time cannot be performed, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment forms the control patch when the control patch is formed on a certain number of continuous sheets. Instead, the control patch number control is performed to form a main body patch.

  FIG. 7 shows control for setting the number of continuous pages of the control patch. As shown in FIG. 7A, when control patches are formed on all of the first to nth pages, the image forming system 1 cannot perform tone correction.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when three control patches are continuously formed, the image forming apparatus 2 forms the main body patch without forming the control patch from the fourth sheet. Then, the image forming apparatus 2 continuously forms the main body patches for a predetermined number (three in the case of FIG. 7B), and then forms a control patch again.

  For example, the control patch continuous page number setting is executed by the user operating the operation unit 22 to set the continuous page number for forming the control patch. The predetermined number of main body patches is set in advance in the image forming apparatus 2 as the continuous number of main body patches necessary for correcting gradation in real time.

  The control unit 100 uses an internal control patch counter to count the number of control patches formed continuously. Then, the control unit 100 compares the counted number with the set continuous page number to determine whether or not the number of continuously formed control patches has reached the set continuous page number. Further, the control unit 100 counts the number of main body patches formed continuously using an internal main body patch counter. Then, the control unit 100 compares the counted number with the predetermined number of main body patches to determine whether or not the main body patches have been continuously formed for the predetermined number.

  Next, real-time gradation correction control in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to form a main body patch (S100). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not the image forming system 1 is set to perform tone correction in real time. When the main body patch is not formed (NO in S100), the real-time gradation correction control ends.

  When forming the main body patch (YES in S100), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 2 is duplex printing (S110).

  If the printing is duplex printing (YES in S110), the control unit 100 acquires the image density of the main body patch detected by the inline sensor 94 and the inline sensor 95 via the control unit 90 (S120). Then, the real-time gradation correction control proceeds to S160.

  When the printing is not duplex printing (NO in S110), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the printing surface of the paper to be ejected is facing upward (face-up) (S130).

  If the face is up (YES in S130), the control unit 100 acquires the image density of the main body patch detected by the inline sensor 94 via the control unit 90 (S140). Then, the real-time gradation correction control proceeds to S160.

  When face-up is not performed (NO in S130), control unit 100 acquires the image density of the main body patch detected by inline sensor 95 (S150). Then, the real-time gradation correction control proceeds to S160.

  Then, the control unit 100 calculates a correction value for gradation correction based on the image density acquired in step S120, S140, or S150 (S160). Then, the image forming apparatus 2 performs gradation correction based on the calculated correction value.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the patch forming process in the present embodiment will be described. For example, the patch forming process is started when the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 2 receives a print job.

  First, the control unit 100 determines whether there is an instruction to form a main body patch on a sheet (S200). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not the image forming system 1 is set to perform tone correction in real time.

  If there is no instruction to form a main body patch on the sheet (NO in S200), control unit 100 determines whether there is an instruction to form a control patch on the sheet (S201). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not a control patch is arranged in the image data of the print job to be executed.

  If there is no instruction to form a control patch on the sheet (NO in S201), the control unit 100 does not cause the image forming apparatus 2 to form a patch (S202). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215. If there is an instruction to form a control patch on the sheet (YES in S201), control unit 100 causes image forming apparatus 2 to form a control patch (S203). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  If there is an instruction to form a main body patch on the sheet in step S200 (YES in S200), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is an instruction to form a control patch on the sheet (S201). S204).

  If there is no instruction to form a control patch on the sheet (NO in S204), control unit 100 causes image forming apparatus 2 to form a main body patch (S205). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215. If there is an instruction to form a control patch on the sheet (YES in S204), the control unit 100 determines whether the print mode set in the image forming system 1 is the main body patch priority mode (S206).

  When the mode set in image forming system 1 is not the main body patch priority mode (NO in S206), control unit 100 determines whether the print mode set in image forming system 1 is the control patch priority mode or not. Determination is made (S207).

  If the mode set in the image forming system 1 is not the control patch priority mode (NO in S207), that is, if the image forming system 1 is not set in the main body patch priority mode or the control patch priority mode, the control is performed. The unit 100 causes the image forming apparatus 2 to form a main body patch as a default setting (S205). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  When the mode set in image forming system 1 is the control patch priority mode (YES in S207), control unit 100 causes image forming apparatus 2 to form a control patch (S208). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  If the mode set in the image forming system 1 is the main body patch priority mode in step S206 (YES in S206), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the print job being executed is a control patch priority job. Determine (S209).

  If the print job being executed is not a control patch priority job (NO in S209), the control unit 100 causes the image forming apparatus 2 to form a main body patch (S210). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  If the print job being executed is a control patch priority job (YES in S209), the control unit 100 determines whether the number of continuous pages for forming the control patch has been set (S211).

  If the number of continuous pages for forming the control patch has not been set (NO in S211), the control unit 100 causes the image forming apparatus 2 to form a control patch (S212). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  When the number of continuous pages forming the control patch has been set (YES in S211), the control unit 100 determines whether the number of pages that have formed the control patch so far has reached the set number of continuous pages. Is determined (S213).

  When the number of pages on which the control patch has been formed reaches the set number of continuous pages (YES in S213), the control unit 100 causes the image forming apparatus 2 to form a main body patch (S214). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  If the number of pages on which the control patch has been formed so far has not reached the set number of continuous pages (NO in S213), the control unit 100 causes the image forming apparatus 2 to form a control patch (S212). Then, the patch formation process proceeds to S215.

  The controller 100 determines whether or not the sheet formed by the image forming apparatus 2 is the last page (S215). If it is not the last page (NO in S215), the processes after S200 are repeatedly executed for the next sheet. If it is the last page (YES in S215), the patch forming process flow ends.

  As described above in detail, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment is an image forming system 1 including a plurality of units including an image forming apparatus 2 that forms a toner image on a plurality of sheets. A first patch image forming unit for forming a main body patch (first patch image) for correcting the gradation of the toner image formed on the sheet in a predetermined area of the sheet, and monitoring a color variation of the toner image formed on the sheet. A second patch image forming unit that forms a control patch (second patch image) on the predetermined area of the sheet, and the first and second patches so that the first and second patch images are not formed on the same sheet. And a control unit 100 that controls the image forming unit.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, since the image forming apparatus 2 forms only one of the main body patch and the control patch on the sheet, the control patch and the main body patch are overlapped on the same sheet. And normal gradation correction can be performed.

  In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 100 is configured to form a main body patch (first patch image) and a control patch (second patch image) in a predetermined area of the same sheet. A main body patch priority mode (first patch mode) for forming a main body patch (first patch image) without forming a control patch (second patch image) for the predetermined area; and for the predetermined area One of the control patch priority modes (second patch mode) for forming the control patch (second patch image) without forming the main body patch (first patch image) is selectively executed.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, for example, the user can selectively set which of the main body patch and the control patch the image forming apparatus 2 forms on the paper.

  In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 100 switches whether to execute the first or second patch mode for each print job.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, priority can be given to the main body patch or the control patch for each print job according to a user request.

  Further, in the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 100 continuously executes the control patch priority mode (second patch mode) on a predetermined number of sheets, and then the main body patch (in the predetermined area). The main body patch priority mode (first patch mode) is executed on a sheet set to form a first patch image) and a control patch (second patch image).

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to prevent the sheets on which the main body patch is not formed from being continued, and thus it is possible to prevent the tone correction in real time from being interrupted.

  In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the case where the control unit 100 generates gradation correction data based on information detected by the inline sensors 94 and 95 and performs gradation correction in real time has been described. The image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment has a mode (monitoring mode) for monitoring color variation without performing tone correction, in addition to a mode for performing tone correction in real time (adjustment mode). Also good.

  Specifically, in the monitoring mode, the control unit 100 monitors the color variation based on information detected by the inline sensors 94 and 95 for a predetermined number of sheets on which the main body patch is formed, and logs the color variation over time. Is stored in the storage unit 80. In the monitoring mode, when the magnitude of the color variation stored as the time log exceeds a predetermined value, or when the monitoring of the color variation of the predetermined number of sheets is finished, the control unit 100 performs image formation. The system 1 is switched from the monitoring mode to the adjustment mode, tone correction data is generated from the monitored color variation, and tone correction is started.

  Since the image forming system 1 in the monitoring mode does not perform gradation correction, even if the main body patch is not formed, the accuracy of the gradation correction is not affected. In such a case, the image forming apparatus 2 may prioritize printing of the control patch without prioritizing printing of the main body patch. Therefore, when the image forming system 1 executes a print job including a control patch during the monitoring mode, the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether the main body patch priority mode or the control patch priority mode is under the control of the control unit 100. Regardless, it forms a control patch. At this time, since the main body patch is not formed, the control unit 100 interrupts the monitoring mode.

  As described above, in the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 100 is set to the monitoring mode in which tone correction is not performed while the main body patch (first patch image) is formed on the sheet. When the control patch (second patch image) is set to be formed on a predetermined area of the paper, the control patch (second patch image) is not formed on the predetermined area of the paper without forming the main body patch (first patch image). A patch image) is formed.

  According to the present embodiment configured as described above, it is not necessary to prioritize the main body patch in the monitoring mode in which gradation correction is not performed, and therefore, the control patch can be formed with priority.

  In this embodiment, when the setting of the image forming system is the main body patch priority mode and the print job being executed is the control patch priority job, the number of pages on which the control patch is continuously printed is limited. The processing to be described has been described. The present invention may limit the number of pages on which control patches are continuously printed when the image forming system is set to the control patch priority mode.

  In this embodiment, a case has been described in which an externally connected PC performs image RIP processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An apparatus connected to the outside and transmitting image data to the image forming system may not be a PC. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus main body may perform RIP processing on the image. In this case, the image forming apparatus generates image data including the control patch.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Image forming apparatus 3 Post-processing apparatus 4 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image reading part 11 Automatic document feeder 12 Document image scanning device 12a CCD sensor 20 Operation display part 21 Display part 22 Operation part 30 Image processing part 40 Image formation part 41 Image formation unit 42 Intermediate transfer unit 50 Paper conveyance part 51 Supply Paper part 51a to 51c Paper feed tray unit 52 Paper discharge part 52a Paper discharge roller 53 Carriage path part 53a Registration roller pair 60 Fixing part 70 Communication part 80 Storage part 90, 100 Control part 91 Paper transport part 92 Post-processing part 93 Paper discharge Tray 94, 95 Inline sensor 411 Exposure device 412 Development device 413 Photosensitive drum (photosensitive material)
414 Charging device 415 Drum cleaning device 421 Intermediate transfer belt 422 Primary transfer roller 423 Support roller 424 Secondary transfer roller 426 Belt cleaning device 911 Transport path 912 Transport roller pair

Claims (7)

An image forming system including a plurality of units including an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image of a document image on a plurality of sheets,
A first patch image forming unit that forms a first patch image for performing tone correction of a toner image formed on the paper in a patch area outside the area on the paper on which the original image is formed ;
A second patch image forming unit that forms a second patch image for monitoring color variation of a toner image formed on the paper in the patch area of the paper;
When there is an instruction to form the first and second patch images on the same sheet, a first patch mode for forming the first patch image without forming the second patch image on the patch area; and By selectively executing one of the second patch modes in which the second patch image is formed without forming the first patch image on the patch area, the first and second patch images are A control unit that controls the first and second patch image forming units so that they are not formed on the same sheet;
An image forming system comprising: The control unit switches whether to execute the first or second patch mode for each print job.
The image forming system according to claim 1 . The control unit is configured to perform the second patch mode on a predetermined number of sheets of paper, and then to the paper set to form the first and second patch images in the patch area. To execute the first patch mode,
The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit is configured to form the second patch image in the patch area of the paper when the monitoring mode in which the gradation correction is not performed while the first patch image is formed on the paper is set. The second patch image is formed on the patch area of the paper without forming the first patch image.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .   The second patch image is incorporated into the document image data and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
  The image forming system according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image of a document image on a plurality of sheets,
A first patch image forming unit that forms a first patch image for performing tone correction of a toner image formed on the paper in a patch area outside the area on the paper on which the original image is formed ;
A second patch image forming unit that forms a second patch image for monitoring color variation of a toner image formed on the paper in the patch area of the paper;
When there is an instruction to form the first and second patch images on the same sheet, a first patch mode for forming the first patch image without forming the second patch image on the patch area; and By selectively executing one of the second patch modes in which the second patch image is formed without forming the first patch image on the patch area, the first and second patch images are A control unit that controls the first and second patch image forming units so that they are not formed on the same sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming method for forming a toner image of a document image on a plurality of sheets,
Forming a first patch image for gradation correction of a toner image formed on the paper in a patch area outside the area on the paper where the original image is formed ;
Forming a second patch image for monitoring color variation of the toner image formed on the paper in the patch area of the paper;
When there is an instruction to form the first and second patch images on the same sheet, a first patch mode for forming the first patch image without forming the second patch image on the patch area; and By selectively executing one of the second patch modes in which the second patch image is formed without forming the first patch image on the patch area, the first and second patch images are Controlling the formation timing of the first and second patch images so that they are not formed on the same paper;
Image forming method.

Images